Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers pay in Washington
In Washington, the median pay for veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers is $21.23 an hour ($44,150 a year). About 4,380 people work in this job there.
That is 16% higher than the U.S. median ($38,150). Washington ranks 12th of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers in Washington
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $18.50 | $38,470 |
| 25% of workers | $19.20 | $39,930 |
| Half of workers (median) | $21.23 | $44,150 |
| 75% of workers | $22.70 | $47,220 |
| 90% of workers | $26.47 | $55,050 |
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers pay in Washington metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue | $45,640 | 2,400 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes | $45,260 | 80 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee | $44,530 | 50 |
| Bellingham | $44,160 | 120 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard | $44,020 | 160 |
| Kennewick-Richland | $40,100 | 130 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater | $39,760 | 190 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley | $39,240 | 340 |
Washington unemployment rate: 4.9% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers
- Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 3 to 6 months (O*NET)
- Training on the job: Short-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: +9.1% over ten years, much faster than average · about 23,200 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in Washington
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Nursing Assistants | $49,180 |
| Medical Assistants | $59,290 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $83,150 |
| Animal Caretakers | $40,570 |
| Emergency Medical Technicians | $52,690 |
| Phlebotomists | $48,880 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $59,740 |
| Paramedics | $104,310 |
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.